2. PRE - ROMAN TIMES
They are descendents from the first inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula during prehistoric times. Both Celts
and Iberians were organized in tribes and they lived in walled villages situated high up on hills- to keep out
attackers-.
Celts: were situated in the Central Plateau and the Cantabrian coast. They lived in peace and in tribes. They
were expert metal workers and farmers (most people bred animals and cultivate cereals). They did not trade
much. They built round houses so the streets were not clearly definited.
IBERIANS:
were situated on the Mediterranean Coast(south and East) so they traded with the colonies that
arrived to the peninsula such as Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians. They made their own coins. They were
farmers and craftsmen – they created wonderful sculptures -. They knew how to write.
3. COLONISING CIVILIZATIONS
Phoenicians: they came from Asia. They were expert sailors and traders. They founded
colonies such as Gadir, Malaca or Abdera. 7th century B.C.
Greeks: They came from Greece and settled on the Mediterranean coast. around the 6th
century B.C. They sold ceramics and bought salt, esparto grass and metals.
Carthaginians: They arrived from Africa around the 3rd century. They inhabited the
Balearic Islands and some territories such as Cartago Nova (Cartagena). They wanted to
control the Mediterranean world so they came not just to trade but also willing to conquer
new territories.
4. ROMAN HISPANIA
They landed in Emporion in the year 218 B.C.E. They were fighting against the Carthaginians in the Punic
wars. They expelled them from the Peninsula and they decided to occupy the place. By the year 19 B.C.
they had conquered all the territory (including the colonies and the celts and Iberians).
The Romans divide the territory into provinces. Each province had a governor (maintein order and collect
taxes). They adopted the Roman Law. Latin became the official language. First, they worshipped Roman
gods and goddesses. Later. Christianity became the official religion. Roman society was divided into free
people and slaves. Free woman had fewer rights than free men. They built many public monuments:
theatres, amphitheatres, circuses, aqueducts...
